Unique Large Carved Antique Shaman Bird Totem Phurba

This one-of-a-kind antique Jhakri or shaman’s phurba (ritual dagger) takes the unusual form of a large carved bird perched on top of a plain pointed handle or blade, and represents the shaman’s special animal totem.  Birds are considered messengers from the spiritual realms and symbolize peace, transformation, freedom and power.

This animal spirit phurba would have been carved by the shaman for their personal use and held high in the hand or pressed into the ground during sacred rituals and ceremonies.

There is a carved ring or collar around the bird’s neck, suggesting that it is tame.  Its wings and tail are decorated with differently carved patterns, and there is a single metal leg at the front where the bird is attached to the handle.

I believe the wood to be mahogany.  There are two insignificant tiny chips in the bird’s collar, but this interesting antique animal totem phurba is otherwise in perfect condition, and has an attractive aged patina.